French Interior Minister announces trip to Algeria amid crisis

After months of speculation, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez has announced he will be visiting Algeria to resolve the year-long crisis with France, according to TSA Algerie on 14th February.

Nunez has mentioned a possible visit several times in recent months, insisting on the need to “renew dialogue” with the North African state. Diplomatic relations broke down in the summer 2024 after France sided with Morocco on the Western Sahara issue, with Algeria recalling its ambassador, and France expelling Algerian diplomats. The cases of writer Boualem Sansal, now released from jail, and sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, arrested on terrorism charges, were also important points of frictions.

Nunez succeeded Bruno Retailleau, who was Interior Minister until October 2025 and was particularly disliked in Algeria for comments perceived as inflammatory. His departure was celebrated by Algerian media, and France has adopted a much more conciliatory posture with Nunez. A recent visit to Algeria of former minister Segolene Royal, where she was welcomed by President Abdelmajid Tebboune and emphasised the need for respect in French-Algerian relationships, has also eased tensions. She was able to meet Gleizes, who recently lost his appeal and is currently serving a 7-year sentence, and obtained his transfer to Algiers, which will facilitate visits.

Laurent Nunez is expected to stay in Algeria for 2 days, focusing on three key issues: security cooperation on terrorism and drug trafficking, the return of French diplomatic staff to Algeria, and the thorny topic of Algerian illegal immigrants. So far, Algeria has refused to accept the return of individuals arrested in France, leaving them in administrative detention indefinitely.

The trip is perceived as an important development for both sides, after 18 months of diplomatic crisis, and a first step towards reconciliation. Nunez will be received by his Algerian counterpart Said Sayoud for a joint working session, but he is not expected to meet Tebboune at this point.

TSA Algerie, Liberation, Maghrebi.org